Real Freedom for All

What (if Anything) Can Justify Capitalism?

Philippe Van Parijs

Description

Capitalist societies are full of unacceptable inequalities. Freedom is of paramount importance.

These two convictions are widely shared across the world. Yet they often seem in complete contradiction with each other. Fighting inequality jeopardizes freedom; taking freedom seriously boosts inequality. What can be done? Can the circle be squared?

Philippe Van Parijs offers a ground breaking solution to the dilemma. Assessing and rejecting the claims of both socialism and conventional capitalism, he presents a clear and compelling alternative vision of the just society: a capitalist society offering a substantial unconditional basic income to all its members.

Moving beyond pure political theory, Van Parijs shows what his ideal of free society means in the real world by drawing out its controversial policy implications. Real Freedom for All will be essential reading for anyone concerned about the just society and the welfare state as we move into the twenty first century.

Real Freedom for All

What (if Anything) Can Justify Capitalism?

Philippe Van Parijs

Reviews and Awards

Real Freedom for All is not just an exercise in political advocacy. It is an important piece of social philosophy on its own right. Although Van Parijs's main concern is to defend his own views, this book amounts to a critical guide through much of the recent literature on the topics it addresses. Professional philosophers will therefore find it stimulating and instructive, even as they take issue with one or another of its many controversial contentions. - Andrew Levine, The Philosophical Review, Vol.105 No.4